PEOPLE who played an instrumental role in making the first Black Country Festival happen have been honoured at a civic reception.

Thousands of people enjoyed the month-long celebrations across the borough to mark the official Black Country Day on July 14.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Margaret Aston, thanked everyone who helped to make it happen at the reception on Tuesday (November 25).

Gracie Sheppard, the Stourbridge schoolgirl who designed the Black Country flag and James Stevens the lead singer of The Empty Can, who released a charity single to create a Black Country anthem were amongst those in attendance.

Everyone was presented with a certificate to thank them for their work and 14-year-old Gracie was also presented with a framed picture depicting the Black Country flag flying in locations across the borough and beyond.

The Redhill School pupil said: “To be invited in to see the mayor has rounded off an unbelievable year. From seeing the flag flown from Dudley Town Hall back in January and then seeing all the flags at the festival in July, it has been an amazing experience.

"You still see the flag flying now so hopefully it will be something that will carry on for a long time.”

Cllr Aston, added: “I think we will all look back on the summer of 2014 with great pride as we witnessed the first ever celebration of Black Country Day.

"Dudley Council was instrumental in this along with a number of individuals in our community so I was delighted to welcome them into the parlour to let them know how grateful we are.”